Most upsetting ... MAJ decries pepper-spraying of photo journalist

Screen grab taken from video footage of a brawl between members of the public and the police.

The Media Association of Jamaica has described as “most upsetting” the pepper-spraying of a Gleaner photo journalist by the police.

In a release this morning, chairman of the Media Association of Jamaica, Christopher Barnes joined calls by the Press Association of Jamaica for a speedy investigation into the matter.

“The MAJ also calls for a statement of reassurance that the leadership of the Jamaica Constabulary Force believes in and supports freedom of our journalists to carry out their work on behalf of the Jamaican people,” Barnes said.

He said a free press demands that journalists be allowed to carry out their work without threat, intimidation or physical harm.